Honing apparatus and method



HONING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed oct. 1929 j AJ/1 im WA m n Rm oi my Mmx e A ATTO R N EYS A-QIZ Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTorrlca ALEXANDER GIBTANNEB, I' BAYSIDE, NEW sYORK, ASBIGNOBTO AUTOIATICLIQHTEB CORPORATION, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE KONING AYPABATUS ANDIETHOD Application tiled October 8, 1929. Serial lo. 398,131.

The resent invention relates to methods for honing ferrous blades bymagnetic attraction and to ap aratus for the purpose, and though primariy designed for honin safety razor blades, the invention is applica lealso for keepin in, or restoring to condition other types of s arp steelcutting blades such as t ose of surgical instruments.

An object is to provide a magnetic hone of [n extremely simple,.inexpensive yand com act construction, which is self-contained, an theuse of which requires no skill.

Another object is to provide a method of honing which requires nomechanical operation other than mere placement of the blade, obviatingthe need for any time consuming more or less noisy manual abrading orstroking action.

As conducive to a clear understanding of the invention, it is noted thatlthe use of a blade such as that of a safety razor causes the cuttingedge to be slit, and minute tongues or teeth to be bent out therefrom.Honing consists in restoring the teeth to the common plane as in thevnew blade.

According to the invention, the hone comprises magnetic pole ieces orends of opposite polarity so related t at the blade to e conditioned isbridged as an armature across the 3o pole ends and in direct engagementtherewith,

the unedged area of the blade being maintained out of engagement withthe corresponding pole piece or pieces.

The magnetic poles are preferably those of a permanent horse shoemagnet, each pole of width substantially equal to the length of thecutting edge.

The device preferably includes means for accurately positioning theblade with respect to the magnet poles, and for securely retaining theblade in position for elective application of the magnetic force to thecutting edges. The positioning means may coact with the holes or otherparts of the blade, that serve to secure the latter in the razor orother handle or holder therefor.

In the honing operation it is preferred mechanically to press the bladeso that its edge or edges en age the respective poles of the magnetthere y more effectively to cause honing or aligning action. Preferablythe blade is thereupon removed and the o eration repeated with thereverse side o the blade toward the poles.

rlhe magnet is preferably enclosed in a case having a cover preferablhinged, with a leaf spring therein, to exert the pressure upon theblade, While in operative honing position within the closed case and theunedged surface of the blade preferably rests against a au bridgingpiece between the magnet poles.

This application is a continuation in part of m copendin applicationsSerial No. 143,173, filed Octo er 31, 1926, and Serial No. 293,868,filed July 19, 1928, any and all claims o5 generic to the disclosures ofsaid prior applications being included in the present case.

In the accompanying drawings in whichv are shown one or more of variouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in closed condition,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the device open,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4: is a longitudinal sectional view 'through the' width of the casetaken on line Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bridge piece, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a detail.

In the accompanying drawings is shown a case 10 preferably ofnon-magnetic mate- 35 rial such as molded phenol condensation product.This case has securely mounted Y therein a permanent horse shoe magnet11 of special shape to be described below. The case is molded withreinforcing fillets 12 at its no bottom between which the reducedrounded end of the magnet lits within the case. The case is of interiorWidth but little greater than the Width of the magnet, which ismaintained in place therein, preferably by the use of two cardboardsheets 13 both-sides of each ofV which are coated 'with cement, andsnugly clamped between the legs of the magnet and the correspondingsides of the case.

. of the blade so that the cutting edges of a C0 Alatch lug 23. In theembodiment shown the case, clear the end of the blade, and preferablythe entire lengths thereof may be disposed in direct engagement with therespective poles. yThe magnet as shown is bent from flat steel stockabout one fourth inch thick and 11/2 inches wide. The pole ends P of themagnetV preferably lie substantially flush with the rim and are somewhatshorter than the Width of the correspending side of the case 10. v

A bridge piece 14 of non-magnetic material preferably also phenolcondensation productA is lodged in 4the space between the poles P oftbemagnet and has integral ears 15 straddling. the edges oftherespective magnet poledends, thereby to close that portion,

of the mouth or open end of the case which isnot occupied by the twopole ends. Preferably the case is formed with longitudinal fillets 16extending along the respective vertical edges thereot', the `upper endsof which fillets form stops orshoulders 17 supporting the respectiveears 15 of the bridge piece and positioning the same, interposed dabs ofcement permanently securino' said bridge piece ears to the shoulders.While the magnet is securely cementedv with respect to the walls of theease the bridge piece also serves as a mechanical stop to prevent readymovement of the magnet within the case. The bridge piece has a pair ofupstanding studs 18 preferably molded as an integral part thereof, to

ventend through the 'corresponding apertures of the blade forpositioning the same with res ect to the magnet poles.

Phe case has a flanged cover 19 hinged at 20 to the edge of the case.lThe heads of rivets 29 that attach hinge late 20 to the ridge piece 14which is beveled at 30 for that purpose. To the middle of the cover isriveted at 21 the middle of a leaf spring 22 the bifurcated free ends ofwhich exert pressure u on the razor'blade when the cover is close Theforward edge ofthe case is molded preferably with a latch lug 23 whichis rounded at its upper face as at 24 and forms a shoulder 25 at itslower edge which is laterally rounded as shown. The cover hasrivetedthereto a spring metal finger piece 26 with a coiled lower edge 27 andan aperture 28 adjacent thereto adapted to-snap over the poles P arebeveled inward as shown and the bridge piece preferably comes nearlyflush with the inner or lower edges of said pole pieces, so that whenthe cover is closed, with the blade in position the latter isresilicntlyl had been deflected flexed downward as best shown in Fi 4, therebybringing substantially only theeveled cutting edges b of the blade intodirect engagement with the magnetic poles. Accordingly, the magneticflux in seeking the path of least reluctance will pass from one polethrough the adjacent cutting edge across the blade as an armature andthrough the other cutting edge to the other pole to complete themagnetic circuit. The pressure of the closed cover lexs the bladesomewhat against the bridge. piece and urges the cutting edges of theblade into such close contiguity with the poles as to be effectivelyattracted thereby and the minute teeth that had been bent outward due toprevious shaving operation and the edges of which thus contact themagnet poles are brought into the plane of the blade as the main lengthof the latter is` drawntoward the poles. Preferably after thisoperation, the cover is opened, the blade removed, replaced in reversedposition upon the magnet poles and the cover is again closed. Thepressure of the closed cover and the magnetic attraction then just asimmediately above described, cause the main length of the edges to bedrawn inward toward the poles for alignment of those of the teeth thatin previous use, toward the side now facing the pole, whereupon theblade is ready for use.

In certain of the claims the vblade area at the cutting edge is recitedas in contact with the magnet pole end. This recital is intended toexclude and distinguish from prior arrangements in which the extremecutting edge faces the magnet, and the blade area immediately conti ousto such ed e is out of engagement Wituthe magnet or t Le pole side andend surfaces thereof.

While reasonably satisfactor results are obtained by merely inserting te blade and closing the cover, and then removing the blade for use, itis preferred to duplicate the operation as above described with firstone face and then the other face of the blade against the magnet poles.The pressure of the spring being removed from the blade when the coveris opened, the blade is readily removed for use, the entire operation ofapplying the blade, closing the cover, reversing the blade, closing thecover, and removing the blade, taking While in describing themanipulations that ory of operation of the device, it is to beunderstood that such theory is advanced but tentatively and may besubject to modification.

The case serves as a convenient storing place for the blade betweenuses, thereby in` cidentally maintaining an armature across the magneticnetism.

It is interesting to note in this connection poles and preserving themaglll) but a few seconds.

that the attraction of the permanent magnet is of order at least aslhigh as the small force applied during shaving, for instance, thatrenders honing necessary. Furthermore, the blade and the individualteeth thereof are rendered magnetic by the hone and the teeth of theblade, accordingly, have a mutual attraction at their ad'acent edges toresist deiection thereof. T e action of the ma etic hone does not causeany wear on the lade, and it obviates the loss of time and the noiseinvolved in the use of mechanical stroppers or hones.

The compression of the s 22 against the` surface of the blade in exigthe latter very slightly draws the cutting ges inward toward each otheralong the magnetic poles. Since the magnet is preferably of a hardchromium steel alloy capable of high magnetic retentivity, this actionapparently contributes to the eiiicacy of the device.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention is applicable to razor blades of various familiarconstructions, both of the single edge and double edge type, the lengthof the pole pieces and the gap therebetween in eaehcase correspondingtothe length of cutting ed e and to the width of the blade. Obviously, te hone may be embodied in constructions suitable for larger or forsmaller blades than those of safety razors, by appropriate dimensions ofmagnet. The invention is by no means limited Ato the use of a magnetpole end of width equal to the length of blade to be honed, but it iswithin the scope of my invention in its broader aspects, 'to employ anarrower pole end, and to successively place different parts of thelength of a longer blade, as an armature across the pole ends.

It -will thus be seen that there are herein described methods andapparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied,and which in their action attain the various objects of the inventionand are Well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and method andmany apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could bemade without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. The method of honing a ferrous bladewhich consists in bridging the blade as an armature across a pair ofmagnetic pole ends of opposite polarity, with the blade area at thecutting edge in direct engagement with one ot said pole ends.

2. The method of honing a ferrous blade gagement with one of the poles,then reversing the blade and bridging the same thus reversed across saidpoles with the blade'area at said'cuttingedge 1n direct engagement withone of the poles.

4. The method ofhoning a double-edged blade, which consists in bridgingsaid blade as an armature across a pair of magnetic poles, with the blale area at the cutting edges thereof in direct engagement with therespective poles, and the intervening'area free from engaement with saidpoles.

5. l?l`he method of honing'a double-edged blade which consists inbridging said blade as an'armature between magnetic poles of o positepolarity with the blade area at t e cuttin edges thereof in directengagement with t e respective poles, then removing and reversing theblade and bridging the same thus reversed, as an armature between, withthe blade area at the cutting edges thereof in direct engagement withthe respective poles.

6. The method of honing a blade which consists in bridgingl the sameacross magnetic poles of opposite polarity with area at a cuttin edge ofthe blade in direct engagement t iroughout the length thereof with oneof the poles while mechanically pressing said area toward thecorresponding pole.

7. The method of honing-a blade which consists in bridgin the sameacross mag netic poles of opposite polarity with the area at a cuttinggagement t roughout the len h thereof with one of the poles, While resiiently preing said area toward the corresponding pole.

8. Theinethod of honing a blade which consists in placing one facethereof in engagement with magnetic poles of oppositel polarity, thelength of the cutting ed e in contact with one of the poles while mecanically pressing the blade toward the said poles, removing the bladewith respect to said poles, reversing it and repeating the operationwith the Opposite face of the blade against the respective poles.

9. The method of honing a ferrous metal blade which consists in bringingthe entire length of the blade area at the cutting edge thereof intodirect physical contact with lthe pole end of a magnet.

10. The method of honing a ferrous metal blade which consists inbringing the entire length of the blade area at the cutting edge thereofinto direct physical contact with the edge of the blade in direct enpoleend of a magnet while mechanically pressing the cutting edge toward thepole end. l

11. A hone comprising a pair of magnet pole ends, one end of a lengthsubstantially equal to that of the cutting edge to be honed, and meansfor positioning the blade to be honed as an armature between said poleendsV direct engagement with the respective poles,

each of said pole ends being of length to engage the entire length ofthe corresponding cutting edge.v n

13. A hone comprising a pair of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, ablade holder` eX- tending between said poles, and means positioning ablade With respect to said holder to dispose the length of a cuttingedge of the blade in direct engagement with one of the magnetic poles,and another part of the blade in direct engagement with the othermagnetic pole.

14. A hone comprising a pair of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, .ablade support between said poles, and means for clamping a blade againstsaid support'with a cutting edge thereof in direct engagement with oneof said poles and another part thereof in d1- rect engagement with theopposite pole.

15. A hone for magnetically conditioning a flexible blade with a beveledcutting edge,

said hone comprising a pair of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, andholding means for retaining said blade as a flexed armature, with acutting edge in direct engagement with one of the magnetic poles.

16. A hone for a double-edge flexible razor blade comprising a pair ofsymmetrically conformed and positioned magnetic poles of oppositepolarity, and clamping means for retaining the blade to be honedlongitudinally flexed with its respective cutting edges in direct enagement with the opposite poles.

17. hone for a double-edged flexible razor blade comprising a pair ofsymmetrically conformed and positioned magnetic poles of oppositepolarity, and clamping means for retaining the blade to be honedlongitudinally flexed with its respective cutting edges in directengagement with the opposite poles, said clamping means comprising ablade support xed with respect to said magnetic poles and a coactingmember movable with respect thereto to permitapplication of the blade.

18. A. hone comprising a pair of magnetic poles of opposite polarity, abridging member extending between said pole ends and having a 'centralpart thereof out of alignment therei with and means for clamping a bladeagainst said bridging portion, for disposing the blade as a curvedarmature between said poles with the cutting edge or edges indirectengagement with the res ective poles, and the interverliing area freefiom engagement with said po es.

19. A magnetic hone for a flexible doubleedged razor blade comprising apair of magnetic pole ends of opposite polarity, each of said pole endsbeveled inward, a brid e piece of non-magnetic material extending etweenand below said pole ends, and means for holding the blade to be honed,with its opposite cutting edges in direct engagement with the respectivebeveled pole ends and the central area thereof flexed toward said bridgepiece.

20. A magnetic hone for conditioning a double-edged flexible safetyrazor blade of the Gillette type, -s'aid hone comprising a pair of'magnetic pole ends of opposite polarity and of length equal to that ofthe blade cutting edges, a bridge piece of non magnetic materialextending between said poles, fixed with respect thereto, and havin itscentral part out of alignment with sai pole ends, and means coactingwith said bridge piece for clamping a blade in position and flexing saidblade with respect to said bridge piece to bring the cutting edges intodirect engagement with the respective pole ends. Y

21.' A magnetic hone for conditioning a double-edged flexible razorblade, said hone comprising a pair of magnet poles of op osite polarity,having their pole ends beve ed inward, a bridge piece of nonmagneticmaterial, below the beveled ends of the poles and fixed with respectthereto, studs rising from said bridge piece for coaction with theholding instrumentalities ofthe blade to be honed, and means for flexingthe blade toward the4 depressed bridge pieces with the cutting edges indirect engagement with the pole ends.

22. A magnetic hone comprising a horse shoe magnet, of widthsubstantially that of the length of the cutting edge to be honed, and ofthickness much less than its Width, said magnet having its opposite poleends in parallelism, and means for positioning the blade to be honed infixed position relative to the magnet with the opposite edges thereof indirect engagement with the respective pole ends.

23. A magnetic hone comprising a case, permanent magnet means -thereinhaving poles of opposite polarity, accessible from near an end of thecase, and means for disposing the blade to be honed with the oppositeedges thereof including the cutting edge, in direct engagement with therespective poles thereof. l

24. A magnetic hone com rising a case, permanent magnet means tierein,-having poles of opposite polarity accessible from the opened end of thecase, andl means for disposing the blade to be honed with the oppositeedges thereof including the cutting edge, in direct engagement with therespective poles thereof, and a cover for said case including an elementfor clamping the blade with respect to the magnet poles.

25. A magnetic hone for conditioning a flexible blade of the safetyrazor type comprlsing a case, a horse shoe magnet in said case havingits -poles accessible from the open end thereof, a blade supportextending between said poles and having a central part thereof out ofalignment with said poles, means coacting with a blade to be honed foraccurately positioning the same, with its opposite edges contiguous tothe respective poles and a cover member having clamp meansl for flexinsaid blade about said support to dispose t e opposite edges thereof indiiect engagement with the respective pole en s.

26. A magnetic hone comprising a pair of opposed magnetic poles of oposite polarity, means extending between said oles for ositioning thecentral area of alilade to ispose a cutting edge thereof in directengagement with one of the poles and another part thereof, in directengagement with the other pole.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casin acover therefor, a blade supporting mem r made of 'magnetized materialhaving two pole surfaces, said surfaces being formed at a slant in orderto register with the surfaces of the ed s of a razor blade su portedthereby enc osed in said casing, an means carried by said cover forexertm pressure against said blade, whereby said pole surfaces exertpressure against the lower surfaces of the edges of the razor blade.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, acover therefor, hinged onto said casing, a. blade supporting member madeof magnetized material, said member having a U section,the end surfacesof the legs or poles of sald member being ada ted to support a doubleedge razor bla. e along its entire len h, enclosed in said casing, saidsurfaces ing formed at a slant in order to register with the surfaces ofthe edges of said blade, means carried b said cover for exerting aressure against said blade, whereby said en surfaces of the legs orpoles exert pressure against the lower surfaces of the edges of therazor blade, and positioning means for said blade. 29. In a device ofthe class described, a

member made of ma etblade supportin iaving two pole sur aces izedmaterial formed at a slant, in order to register with the surfaces ofthe edges of a razor blade supported thereby.

30. Inv a device of the class described, the combination of a bladesupporting member made of magnetized material having two pole surfacesformed at a slant, in order to register with the surfaces of the ed esof a razor blade supported thereby, an means for exerting pressureagainst said blade.

31. In adevice of the class described, a blade supporting member made ofmagnetized material, said member having a U sec tion, the end surfacesof the legs or poles of said member being adapted to contact with andsupport a double edge razor blade along its entire lengths y 32. In adevice of the class described, a blade supporting member made of maetized material, said member having a section, the end surfaces of thelegs or poles of said member being adapted to support a double edgerazor blade along its entire length, said surfaces being formed at aslant in order to register with the surface of the edges of said blade.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, acover therefor, a blade supporting member made of magnetized materialhaving two pole surfaces, said surfaces being formed at a slant in orderto register with the surfaces of the edges of a razor blade supportedthereby, enclosed in said casing, and means carried by said cover forexerting pressure against said blade,

whereby said pole surfaces exert pressure against the lower surfaces ofthe edges .of the blade.

34. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a casing, acover therefor, a blade supporting member made of magnetized material,said member having a U section, the end surfaces of the legs or poles ofsaid member being adapted to support a double edge razor blade along itsentire length, enclosed in said casing, said surfaces being formed at aslant in order to register with the surfaces of the edges of said blade,and means carried by said cover for exerting a pressure against saidblade. whereby saidend surfaces of the legs or poles exert pressureagainst the lower surfaces of the edges of the razor blade.

35. In a device ofthe class described, the combination of a casing, acover therefor, a blade supporting member made of magnetized materialhaving two pole surfaces, said surfaces being formed at a slant in orderto register with the surfaces of the edges of razor blade supportedthereby, enclosed in said casing, and springs carried by said cover forexerting pressure against said blade, whereby said pole surfaces exertpressure against the lower surfaces of the edgesof thevv rabor blade. Y

36. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casin acover therefor, a blade supporting mem r made of magnetized material,said member having a U seclli) 6 weaves tion, the end surfaces of the'legs or poles of said members being adapted t'o support a double edgerazor blade along its entire length, enclosed in said casing, saidsurfaces being formed at a slant in order to register with the Surfacesof the edges of said blade, and springs carried by said cover forexerting a pressure against said blade, whereby. said end surfaces ofthe legs or poles exert pres- 10 sure against the lower s ufaces lof theedges of the razor blade.

37.1111 a device of the class described, the Combination of a casing, acover therefor, hinged onto said casing, a Vblade supporting member madeof magnetizedmaterial, said member having'a U section, the end surfacesof the legs o r poles of said member being adapted to support a doubleedge razor blade along its entire length, enclosed in said 2G casing,said surfaces being formed at a slant in order toregister with thesurfaces of theI 4edges ofsaid blade, means carried by said cover Vfor.exerting a pressure against said blade, whereby said end surfaces of thelegs or poles exert pressure against thelower surfaces of the edges ofthe razor blade and positinnin'g means for said blade.

38'. A blade supporting member made of magnetized material having ablade supporting portion formed at a slant in order to register incontact with a surface of a bevelled blade edge portion whereby themagnetic action of the flux passing through said blade edge serves toattract the portions thereof which extend away from the blade supportingmember substantially into the plane of said slant surfacefcr aligningthe portions of tle blade edge substantially into a single p ane.

4e 39. A magnetic sharpening device comprising a magnet, a vbladesupporting platform between the poles thereof, to back the center of ablade to be sharpened whereby the blade edges will be'l disposed incontact with the ends of the ole pieces over their entire length, saidplat orm including means to prevent buckling of the blade at its centerportion, and means urging the blade edges into operative relationrelative to the poles of e saidv magnet for effecting sharpeningthereof.

40. A magneticA sharpener comprising a horseshoe magnet, means between`the poes for supporting and backing double l edged blade whereby itsedges will be in contact with the ends of the magnet throughout theirentire length, with the'cutting edges thereof along the legs of themagnet for operative relation relative thereto and the center of theblade held against buckling by the supporting means.

Signed at New York, in the county of N ew l York and State of New York,this 26th day of September A. D. 1929.

l ALEXANDER GIRTANNER.

